PA approves 27 apartments near protected Kalkara cart ruts
The site had previously been protected as part of Kalkara’s rural conservation area, but the authority’s executive council recently rezoned the area
The Planning Authority has approved a controversial 27-apartment development in Kalkara near protected cart ruts.
The site had previously been protected as part of Kalkara’s rural conservation area, but the authority’s executive council recently rezoned the area, allowing development.
Both the development application (PA/01546/25) on Tuesday and the rezoning application (PC/00070/22) were approved despite the case officers' recommendation of refusal.
The apartment block, built over five storeys, will also include 31 garages built across three underground floors following excavation.
Raymond Zammit applied for both applications.
In December, the area was rezoned as a residential area.
That decision came despite the case officer responsible saying it would “prejudice the protection status of the Rural Conservation Area, thus running counter to the Local Plan”.
“The site lies in an area of High Landscape Value intended to protect the Harbour fortifications, within the buffer zone intended to protect the discovery of cart ruts, protected at Class B, and within a highly archaeologically sensitive area. In addition, it is designated as a Rural Conservation Area through the Grand Harbour Local Plan.”
The proposal’s impact would run counter to PA objectives “which seek to identify, protect and enhance the character and amenity of distinct urban areas,” the case officer had said.
ERA had recommended that the rezoning be refused as it would result in interventions on mature trees.
Il-Kolletiv and Wirt Il-Kalakara are currently in court challenging the zoning application.
The local council also objected to the plans, and dozens of Kalkara residents petitioned against the proposal.
Still, the executive council approved the rezoning application, announcing its decision in December.
Because of the nearby cart ruts, the authority included the condition that a full development application will have to include archaeological monitoring conditions.
On Tuesday, developer Zammit’s proposal to build a 27-apartment block on the previously protected site was approved.
The case officer overseeing the application had recommended refusal because the proposed building would go higher than the allowable height limitation in the area.